Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’ is a succulent plant with compact, Echeveria-like rosettes with a unique, orangish-pink color. It is long-cultivated and more widely-distributed than most of the hybrids made by Robert Grim. The rosettes are at the tips of eventually decumbent stems, which can simply be cut back and restarted to maintain a more compact plant. New growth is a grayish-green but soon takes on its distinctive coloration that is enhanced by drought as well as cool winter temperatures. The durability and grayish new leaves of this hybrid are imparted by Graptopetalum paraguayense. The pastel coloration and white flowers come from the other parent, Sedum adolphi.

How to Grow and Care

The rules for Graptopetalums care are similar to those for most succulents. All require lots of sun to look their best. They require gritty porous soil with excellent drainage. Water regularly over the summer months letting the soil dry out between waterings. Minimal water is required over winter. Overwatering is a cause of root rots and the plant can get several pest infestations. Fertlize once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ¼ strength.

The Graptopetalums are generally easy to propagate, by seeds, leaf cuttings or offsets. Any rosette that breaks off has the potential to root and start a new plant. Even a leaf that drops off will root below the parent plant and produce a new rosette quickly. The new plant feeds off the leaf until it shrivels up and falls off. By then the new little ghost plant has rooted and sprouted new leaves.